Bukhari reviews JTFRP implementation

JAMMU, JAN 19: Minister for Revenue, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, Syed Basharat Ahmed Bukhari today chaired a high level meeting to review preparation and submission of detailed project reports under the World Bank funded Jhelum-Tawi Flood Recovery Project (JTFRP).
Financial Commissioner Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, B B Vyas, Special Secretary DMRRR, Mohammad Akbar Ganai, Director Finance, Shagufta Qazi, Director Technical, Bashir Ahmed Shah, Director P&C, Iftikhar Hakim, Director Disaster Management, Aamir Ali and other officers from Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Department attended the meeting.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Farooq Ahmed Lone along with Chief Engineer R&B and SE, SMC also participated in the meeting through video-conferencing.
The Minister directed the concerned to expedite preparation of detailed project reports for creation of state of the art infrastructure in the state under World Bank funded project.
To anticipate the possible social and environmental consequences of the proposed projects, the Minister directed the Project Implementing Unit (PIU) to undertake comprehensive social and environmental impact assessment. “The assessments will better equip the government with knowledge base for formulating policies which will be ecologically, socio-culturally and economically more sustainable,” Bukhari said adding that Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) is one of the designated PIU for strengthening urban flood control infrastructure.
The meeting was informed that Srinagar city has been divided in four zones for preparation of storm water drainage system, under which pumping stations are to be revamped and made flood resistant for pumping out excess water into the nearest water channel with the aim of checking urban flooding.
It was apprised that feasibility of fuel based electro-magnetic power generator backup viz-a-viz solar energy generation through photovoltaic panels, is being incorporated in the DPRs to maintain power supply back up for these dewatering stations, in the event of power failure or a disaster.